Truth Magazine

By Steven F. Deaton

The Gospel Call

“Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtain- ing of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thess. 2:14). Those at Thessalonica, and all others, are brought unto the “glory of our Lord” by the gospel call! Note that the Bible nowhere says . . .

1. The personality call. One is not made a Christian by some man’s personality, no matter how sharp and witty it may be. The personality of the preacher or anyone else does not save souls (2 Sam. 15:2-6)!

2. The prestige call. Some men have college degrees with initials that would choke a horse following their names. Others are well known among brethren. However, every initial and all the fame in the world will not redeem one man (1 Cor. 1:26-27)!

3. The eloquence call. At times brethren think because a man is eloquent, that he will draw people to the water. They put stock in the sweet tongued man who can turn a phrase or spout big words, but this is not what saves a man (Rom. 16:18; 2 Cor. 10:10).

4. The youth call. Some have the fantasy that if they hire a young preacher or if they have a lot of young people, it will attract young members of the community. Yet, youth has not saved one person (Phile. 9).

5. The ethnic call. There are those who are attracted to religion because of their ethnic group. However, ethnicity does not wash away sins (Gal. 2:11-14).

6. The relative call. We all know of people who associate with a certain group because their family is in it. Catholics are famous for this. Still, not one person has been forgiven because of family relations (Matt. 10:34-37).

7. The social call. The liberals bought into this one. They, and many others, think that if they have a kitchen or a sports complex or a day care center, that men, women, boys, and girls will come to salvation. But, the fact remains, not a single solitary soul has been saved by social events (Eph. 4:17-19; 1 Pet. 4:3-5).

All of that leads us to this: It is the gospel that draws sinners to God! It is the gospel that saves sinners! It is the gospel that redeems sinners!

Plant & Water

Having allowed the above to sink in, we realize that we must plant and water. “I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase” (1 Cor. 3:6-7). We are commanded to plant (Matt. 28:19-20). We are commanded to water (Eph. 4:12-16). However, it is God who gives the increase. We work with God, not in place of God (1 Cor. 3:9). Therefore, we cannot promise numbers. We cannot say that we will baptize five, ten, or fifteen people this year, that is up to God. Remember Noah? Only eight people were saved on the ark (Gen. 7). What of the perfect preacher, Jesus? Many turned their back on him (John 6:44-45, 66). More people will reject the gospel than will accept it (Matt. 7:13-14). All we can do is plant and water!

There is nothing mystical, magical, or mysterious about conversion and growth — preach the word! It is the sword (Heb. 4:12). “And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily” (Acts 16:5). Being grounded in truth led to being increased in number! We may need to remove sin from within the camp (Josh. 7-8). However, we can never compromise with error (Eph. 5:11). Fellowship with error only leads to corruption (2 Tim. 2:17; Gal. 5:7-10). Brethren, “let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Gal. 6:9). Rather, let us speak “the word of God with boldness” (Acts 4:31)!

By Larry Ray Hafle

We have all been “a few minutes late” for appointments. It generally is “no big deal.” However, because those who arrive late may disturb others, some schools, companies, corporations, and movie theaters let it be known that they will not tolerate tardiness.

Personally, I would rather be tardy to worship services than not be present at all — “better late than never,” I suppose!

Does our tardiness show a lack of interest, a lack of concern?   Probably not.   But, on the other hand, does chronic tardiness display an eager, fervent spirit?  “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord.” Reckon David was late for services the day he wrote those words (Ps. 122:1)?

When we arrive late, we have missed something. Some part of the worship — an uplifting song, an introduction to the lesson, an opening prayer — all these we have missed. And, to some degree at least, we distract the attention of others when we rush in at the last moment.

Greeting one another, looking for visitors to meet, encouraging others with a pleasant, “How’re ya’ doin’, good to see ya,” — these and many other things go undone when we are late for services. Perhaps, for the sake of the weak and visitors who are looking for a friendly welcome, we should try to be a few minutes early. Your good influence, kind attitude, and friendly spirit are too much for us to miss! Don’t be late! We need you!

Arrive early! Stay late! I can’t get you here on time, but with the length of my sermons, I can see to it that you stay late!!

By Connie W. Adams

The Preacher Training Program conducted by the Ellettsville, Indiana church of Christ will be held July 27-August 7, 1998. The program will include instruction in: Doing the work of an evangelist; Preaching in today’s world; Carrying out the great commission; Overcoming stage fright; Finding and putting sermons together; Conducting weddings and funerals; Radio Preaching; Building a good library; Publishing a church bulletin; Teaching home Bible studies; Writing effective articles; Conducting gospel meetings; Studying and understanding the Bible; Learning to be a good listener; Bible history and geography; Combating false doctrines; Working with a local church, and other related matters.

As before, these classes will be taught by Johnie Edwards and Johnie Paul  Edwards with guest speakers to address special subjects. Lodging and meals will be provided by local Christians for those who wish to stay in the area. Some have already registered and space is limited. Those interested should register soon. Write to:

Ellettsville Church of Christ

303 Temperance Street

Ellettsville, Indiana 47429

Phone: (812) 876-2285 or (812) 336-2085

For the last two years it has been my privilege to speak once to these eager students. In my opinion, great good is being done by this concentrated period of studies. In addition to all-day classes, there is much work assigned to be done each evening. The approach is practical and militant.

Interestingly, this program inspired Paul Williams of Eshowe, South Africa to plan a similar two-weeks program patterned after this one in Ellettsville. I to assisted Paul Williams in this program January 5-16. The remaining time was spent in the White River area and in Johannesburg area in preaching and teaching the word of God.

By Donnie V. Rader

The gospel of Jesus Christ is a redemptive system. By that we mean that it is a system whereby man is redeemed from his sins. In contrast, some of the preaching we hear today, even among us, has robbed the gospel of its redemptive power.

The Need For Redemption

Man stands in need of being redeemed because of his sin. All have sinned (Rom. 3:23; 1 John 5:19). Sin (which is a violation of God’s law) has consequences like the violation of any other law.

Sin causes one to die spiritually. That means man is spiritually separated from his God.

Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death (Jas. 1:15).

But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden [His] face from you,  So that He will not hear (Isa. 59:2).

For the wages of sin [is] death . . . (Rom. 6:23).

Since our sin separates us from God, we stand in need of being re- deemed.

We Are Redeemed by the Blood of Christ

Even a casual reading of the Old Testament will reveal that God has always demanded a blood sacrifice to atone for sin.

The blood of animals could not remove sin (Heb. 10:4). However, the blood of the sinless Son of God would be the perfect sacrifice (Heb. 8 and 10).

Why did Christ have to die?

And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission (Heb. 9:22). He then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself (Heb. 9:26).

That was the message that was preached as the apostles went forth preaching the word. They told of the Christ and how man could be saved through him (cf. Acts 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 13ff).

Preaching That Guts The Gospel of Redemption

Any preaching that doesn’t appeal to the gospel message as the message that redeems man from his sin, has gutted the gospel of its real power. Much of the preaching in the denominational world is a social message. Some of it sounds more political and patriotic than biblical. Even among us (both the “liberals” and yes, even the “conservatives”) there is preaching being done that addresses more social needs than spiritual.

I recognize that the Bible talks about aging and depression and human relationships. However, when our appeal in reaching out to the world is to help them with this difficulty in handling growing old or in having brighter days, then we have missed the redemptive system of the gospel.

The gospel of Jesus Christ is a redemptive message. Let’s preach it. Let’s not be ashamed of it. Let’s not lose sight of what is it and our need for it.